2023 Sept 09-23
Val and I set off for Canada and the island. It had been a long time in planning and we were excited if a little nervous
The trip started when we arrived in Vancouver (staying overnight at Sheraton Wall Vancouver Centre, Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2R9, Canada) and boarding a cruise ship the following morning to Alaska. Val had splashed out for a junior suite which was lovely. It had a balcony which was big enough for us to sit and watch the world go by. We quickly found our way around the ship and found the best places for us to eat.
After a couple of days we met one of our neighbours (Lora Gaddy) who we quickly made friends with. She was travelling alone and was a very very frequent cruiser (unlike us).
Over the course of the cruise the weather was pretty wet and so Val and I spent time walking around the top deck in the rain much to the surprise of other cruisers (mostly Americans) who probably thought we were crazy. You will find pictures in the folder you can click on below. We have stayed in touch with Lora.
On our arrival back in Vancouver at Canada Place we went to our Hotel (17/9/2023 Metropolitan Hotel, 645 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2Y9, Canada) and left our luggage before walking down to the shore and getting a ferry/Taxi to Granville island where we wandered around just looking at the tourists and drinking coffee. We then heard from Bryn who suggested we met for lunch on the shoreline near to his apartment. We walked along the broadwalk and met up with Bryn and Gareth (Val’s cousins) at the Cactus Club Cafe for lunch. It was a brief meeting but pleasant. Perhaps if we visit again we’ll have a longer visit with them. After our visit we went and had another night in the city visiting the same restaurant we had visited. After a good night’s rest we headed for the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal (49°22’28.0″N 123°16’22.8″W) by bus. It was quite simple but we nearly got on a bus going in the opposite direction. We had to wait quite a while for our ferry but eventually it arrived and we found somewhere to sit on the top deck as it was sunny, if a little windy.
On arrival in Nanaimo on the island we were met by Val’s other Canadian cousin Bronwyn who had been living on the island for many years and now lives in Ladysmith, ( 48°59’12.1″N 123°48’45.4″W ) a delightful town right on the river. Bronwyn and Mark were the perfect hosts. They had given us a large room in the bottom of the house and although we had a large amount of luggage we quickly settled in. Bronwen suggested we go for a walk with Wally (the dog) and we set off in the direction of the town. At that point Val and I had no idea where we were. It was a pleasant walk. Over the next few days we visited very interesting places. Mark took us to the big qualicum salmon hatchery near to Dunsmuir. Apparently there were Bears in the area but we didn’t see any. What we did see was thousands of salmon/steel heads fighting their way up stream. We then went and had lunch at a shoreline restaurant ( the shady restaurant and pub) that Mark and Bronwyn knew well. It was splendid. We then went onto Rathtrevor beach for a gentle walk and then back to Ladysmith.
The following day (Thursday 21st) Bronwyn took Val and I into Victoria. We had a meet up with Morgan (Bronwyn’s daughter) for a coffee. We then wandered towards the centre and the government buildings. I had been there many years before but it all seemed me to me. Time flies.
We then jumped in the car and Bronwyn took us to “Malahat Skywalk”. How impressive that was. This was a raised walkway which went up and up until you could see all over the estuary. It was impressive and magnificent. There are pictures in the Album.
The following day Mark took us on a local walk through woods nearby. Wally accompanied us which was great as he is an early warning when bears are about. We had to say our goodbye’s much too soon. A fab trip. The ferry back to Vancouver was a bit rough. On arriving back in Vancouver once again we found a bus back to the city centre and another hotel. This time Val had booked us into “The Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel”, 838 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6A2, Canada. This was a rather strange hotel but nevertheless it was very comfortable. We spent our last day cruising the city before making our way to the airport for our return journey. We had a long wait for some reason I don’t remember but while we waited we heard Penny had been born.
A good end to a memorable trip.
Click in the link below for pictures
Vancouver, Alaska and Victoria Island, British Columbia, Canada 2023
Peter Ball is ....... 